Proverbs 10:14

14 Wise men 1store up knowledge, But with 2the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

Proverbs 10:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:14

Wise [men] lay up knowledge
Which they get by reading, prayer, meditation, hearing the word of God, and conversation with good men: this they lay up in their hearts, minds, and memories, that they may not forget it, and as a rich treasure they highly value it; that they may bring it forth at proper times, and on proper occasions, for the benefit of others; see ( Matthew 12:35 ) ( 13:52 ) ; or hide F6 it; conceal it; do not boast and brag of it, as foolish men do; but the mouth of the foolish [is] near destruction:
who rashly and unguardedly utters things which bring swift and sudden destruction on himself and others; or terror and consternation, as the word F7 also signifies. The Vulgate Latin version is, "but the mouth of the foolish is near to confusion"; he boasts of his knowledge, betrays his ignorance, and so brings himself to shame and confusion.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wnpuy) "abscondent", Pagninus, Montanus; "abscondunt", V. L. "occultant", Michaelis.
F7 (htxm) "terrorem accersit", Tigurine version; "consternatio propinqua", Cocceius; "terror", Vatablus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 10:14 In-Context

12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
14 Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
15 The rich man's wealth is his fortress , The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
16 The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 9:9
  • 2. Proverbs 10:8, 10; Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 18:7
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